Henry Brougham as Economic Popularizer

Abstract

While earlier classical economists, such as Smith and Malthus, had merely talked of the importance of educating all classes of people, Brougham was the first to become actively involved in implementing a program to see that people were educated. He believed, as did other classical economists, that once all classes understood the principles of political economy each class would be more content with its position in life and, as a result, there would be harmony throughout society. Brougham thought ignorance of these principles was the most dangerous problem facing society and sought to correct the problem through education. Brougham’s efforts on behalf of education included introducing bills and making speeches in Parliament, giving financial and moral support to various educational groups, publishing books and pamphlets designed to win popular backing and participating in the founding of infant schools, the Mechanics’ Institutes, the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge and London University. This chapter examines Brougham’s role in spreading economic knowledge through these activities.